there are serious ramifications if we go over the fiscal cliff. listen to what he just told me. >> in the global economy as a whole, there's a lack of confidence, there's a worry about where it's going. if you can sort out this issue, then even though that doesn't sort out all the problems of the american or global economy, it would be a big boost, i think. >> i think everyone wants to avoid going over the fiscal cliff, although there are an increasing number of democrats who say we'll go over the fiscal cliff, the republicans will be blamed for that. that will be good for the democrats. >> this is not about politics but about fairness and making sure when it comes to, as prime minister blair said, when it comes to making sure we give the global economy the certainty it needs and the stability that it needs, we have to reach an agreement so we don't go over the fiscal cliff. but quite frankly, president obama made it very clear, democrats have made it clear and the american people made it clear there has to be a balanced plan that cannot balance o